Director of Simulation Experiences

This leadership position will play a pivotal role in overseeing simulation education, operations, managing budgets and staff, collaborating with faculty, and ensuring the delivery of high-quality simulation-based education across all programs within the Department of Nursing. The Director will report directly to the Chairperson for the Department of Nursing and will work closely with faculty, staff, interdisciplinary teams and external partners to uphold simulation standards in the delivery of simulation education, support of grant-funded projects, and advance the mission and strategic goals of the Department of Nursing. The Director of Simulation Experiences plays a key role in the development and implementation of interprofessional education for the University.

Operations:

• Oversees all aspects of simulation operations, including scheduling, maintenance of simulation equipment and facilities, and coordination of simulation sessions.
• Conduct vendor scans and stay informed about advancements in simulation technology, recommending investments and upgrades as appropriate.
• Supports faculty in the use of simulation to meet student learning outcomes. 
• Work collaboratively with faculty and staff to conduct new faculty orientation on principles of simulation, educational techniques, debrief, and other activities as appropriate. 
• Acts as the primary contact regarding simulation experiences for all students (undergraduate and graduate), faculty, staff, university administration, and the public (student applicants, parents, practitioners, and educators).
• Develops inventory control procedures to monitor supply levels, maintain inventory and reorder as needed.
• Maintains a small reference area for in-lab use by students.
• Offers American Heart Association BLS recertification to faculty every two years and as needed. 
• Maintains an on-going, comprehensive, log of undergraduate and graduate student and faculty activities in the lab. 

Fiscal:

• Develop and manage the simulation program budget, including forecasting expenses, allocating resources, and monitoring financial performance.
• Develops inventory policies to ensure levels are maintained in a cost-effective manner.

Administrative :

• Provide strategic leadership and direction for the simulation program, ensuring alignment with the mission and strategic goals of the department, including serving as Chair of the Simulation Committee and a member of the Interprofessional Education Committee.
• Supervise simulation staff, including hiring, training, conducting performance evaluations, and professional development.
• Maintain and update simulation policies, procedures, and protocols in accordance with best practices. 
• Maintain documentation of completion of orientation and faculty development activities.
• Collaborate with other departments within the university to facilitate interprofessional education and collaborative research opportunities. 
• Represent the department and the simulation program at conferences, workshops, and professional meetings, sharing expertise and best practices with the broader healthcare simulation community.
• Collect and analyze simulation data such as: student and faculty responses/concerns, anticipated content needs, student outcomes as a result of participation in scenarios, and more. 
• Prepare an annual simulation report for the department. 
• Perform other duties assigned by the Chair of the Nursing Department.

Academic:

• Collaborates with faculty in the development and integration of simulation-based education into curricula across all programs, ensuring alignment with learning outcomes, best practices in simulation, and accreditation standards.
• Facilitates simulations with faculty and/or Simulation Educator, including pre- and post-debriefing sessions.
• May teach the equivalent of 4-8 credits per year, depending upon the incumbent’s expertise.
• Creates a classroom, laboratory or clinical setting that develops critical thinking in students.
• Continuously assesses the performance and educational content of the simulation-based programs and activities.

Minimum Qualifications:

• A Master’s Degree. Extensive experience may be considered in lieu of a Master’s degree.
• Experience with simulation in healthcare education. 
• Knowledge of simulation pedagogy.
• Current Basic Cardiac Life Support (BLS) certification.

Preferred Qualifications:

• A Master’s Degree in nursing.
• RN licensure in the State of Connecticut; this license must be valid and in good standing.
• Experience in teaching at the college level. 
• Knowledge and experience with curriculum design.
• Experience as lab director or coordinator.
• Experience managing budgets, supervising staff and leading multidisciplinary teams.

Other Qualifications: 

• Able to work a flexible schedule, may include evening hours
• Able to function independently while operating effectively within a team environment
• Possess solid general computer skills, including ability to work in a Windows environment. Proficiency with MS Office Suite, Internet, and other programs as needed.
• Strong interpersonal, communication, and problem-solving skills, with the ability to collaborate effectively with faculty, staff, students, and external partners.
• Exhibits a high level of professionalism, leadership, creative problem solving, diplomacy, and the ability to manage complex projects with minimal supervision
• Commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion, with the ability to foster a culture of respect, collaboration, and continuous improvement. 
• Commitment to the mission of the University of Saint Joseph 
• Physical ability to perform essential functions of the position, as noted below, with or without reasonable accommodation. (including the ability to lift objects up to 50 pounds and subject to walking, sitting, standing, bending, reaching, kneeling and stooping)